.308 has a kick?

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KJamesJr

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Please note; new to the forums/rifles/hunting.

I’m getting my shopping list together for the first rifle I will take on my first hunt. North East whitetail. I’m new to shooting and firearms in general, although I have a buddy from work helping me out. He took me to the range today to test fire some of his rifles. One a .308, one a 30-06 and the other a 22-250 (I believe).

I had intended to purchase a .308 from Howa but now am second guessing the caliber. After 15 rounds through a Mossberg Patriot my shoulder was feeling it. 20 rounds and I was done. I’d also like to point out it’s winter and I had three layers on including a Carhartt. So I’m feeling a little emasculated. It wasn’t exactly pleasurable to shoot and 99% of my shooting will be from a bench. I was hoping it would be a good “all purpose” round because I’d like to pick up target shooting as a little side hobby (nothing too serious) or at least grow confidence in my ability to shoot.

I’m not exactly a small guy either 5’9” medium build. The ammunition itself was 150 gain and for some reason I just couldn’t get with it. To me it feels no different than a 30-06. The 22 was fine. Super light recoil could shoot it all day. My buddy was checking for form, everything was choked up nice and snug and was hitting plates at 300 yards. That rifle shouldn’t have been putting out more than 15lbs of recoil right?

My buddy tells me everyone reacts different and no one really likes felt recoil. That I shouldn’t feel bad. He basically suggested to go as light as I’m comfortable with and we’re playing with the idea of a 6.5 Creedmoor. 7mm-08 was on the list however the 6.5 ammo has flooded the shelves and the 7mm is hard to find.

Still set on the Howa 1500 platform. Should I give their .308 a shot? Step down to 6.5, or just settle with .243?

Anyways, sorry for the long post but thanks for reading.
 
So, felt recoil is subjective to a certain extent. But with both shooting 150 bullets, there should be very little difference in the feel.if 30-06 and .308. If you shot 20 rounds of each, it's not odd that you may feel a little tender.

For white-tail, 7mm-08, 6.5 Creedmoor or 270 Win are all excellent choices and all offer somewhat less recoil than the 30 cal options. There are a LOT of rifles available in 6.5 CM right now. It would be a good idea to try it before jumping in with both feet.

If you are envisioning deer as the largest game for the foreseeable future, 26, 27, or 28 cal will be plenty and Howa makes a great rifle. But don't feel wimpy if your shoulder is a little tender after 40 rounds of 06 and 308 Win!
 
DocRock said:
So, felt recoil is subjective to a certain extent. But with both shooting 150 bullets, there should be very little difference in the feel.if 30-06 and .308. If you shot 20 rounds of each, it's not odd that you may feel a little tender.

For white-tail, 7mm-08, 6.5 Creedmoor or 270 Win are all excellent choices and all offer somewhat less recoil than the 30 cal options. There are a LOT of rifles available in 6.5 CM right now. It would be a good idea to try it before jumping in with both feet.

If you are envisioning deer as the largest game for the foreseeable future, 26, 27, or 28 cal will be plenty and Howa makes a great rifle. But don't feel wimpy if your shoulder is a little tender after 40 rounds of 06 and 308 Win!
Click to expand...

Sad part is I didn’t even shoot his 06.

I wasn’t about to risk more punishment on a 35 year old rifle with what looked like a thin layer of saddle leather as a pad. I had shot 30-06 before, which is why I wanted to step down to .308 but there was no comparable difference between what I felt in recoil. I don’t know anyone with a 6.5CM. Kinda in a pickle.
 
The patriots not a particularly heavy rifle, the Howa IS heavy for a sporter (in this day and age). That in and of itself will help mitigate some of the recoil.
Personally I prefer the 7-08 and 6.5CM to the .308, but in terms of USE I dont think any would be better than the other besides ammo availability.
Recoil from the SAME rifle would be pretty similar, tho both the 7 and 6.5 will reduce recoil a tad due to bullet weight at similar velocity.

As has been suggested. Rifle fit, weight, stock design, and recoil pad will all play a part in how a gun feels. I also think having some weight at the muzzle helps slow the rise of the rifle making it SEEM like its not kicking so hard since its not slapping your cheek.
 
I have a Howa 1500 sporter in .308 Win. and the recoil is not bad with 150 gr bullets at 2,875 fps, I think the rifle is 7.5-8 lbs with the scope.
I have a 30-30 Win. with a short stock and steel butt plate that would hurt to shoot, the butt of this rifle had a running start at my shoulder.
The length of pull and the fit of the stock is more important regarding felt recoil than the cartridge with the cartridges you are considering.
 
Don't feel bad about feeling it from a 308. They do kick. A really good recoil pad will help A lot, and a hunting rifle is usually not shot that much at once. A 7mm08 ( one of my favorites) or a 6.5 cm will kick less, but all of them will seem lighter kicking in the Howa. In your boat, just starting out I would go 6.5cm. And if bench shooting is your main goal, get a 223, it won't have noticeable recoil in a Howa 1500. I shoot some pretty big boomers offhand, but I don't like 308 from the bench either...
 
I agree with pretty much everything that has been said so far.

308 isn't a bad kicker, but 20 shots of 308 out of a (probably) synthetic-stocked rifle that weighs 7 lbs scoped is going to hurt a bit. That's more of a rifle problem than a you problem - the Patriot is meant to be carried around and shot maybe once or twice, not to burn through a box and feel comfortable while doing it.

If you do want less kick, my next step would be to try out a 243. It's still kind of sharp, but not as forceful 308 - by recoil energy it's about 30% less. A heavier rifle would help as well, but of course that's a tradeoff with portability.

I have a Savage 10 hunting rifle in 243 that's got to be 9 or 10 pounds scoped, and the kick out of that thing is nothing. The rifle itself is as accurate as you'd expect from any Savage, and with the light recoil it's very easy to shoot up its potential. It's a pig to haul around though, which is why I keep alternating between it and a much friendlier to carry Model 700 in 270.
 
KJamesJr said:
Please note; new to the forums/rifles/hunting.

I’m getting my shopping list together for the first rifle I will take on my first hunt. North East whitetail. I’m new to shooting and firearms in general, although I have a buddy from work helping me out. He took me to the range today to test fire some of his rifles. One a .308, one a 30-06 and the other a 22-250 (I believe).

I had intended to purchase a .308 from Howa but now am second guessing the caliber. After 15 rounds through a Mossberg Patriot my shoulder was feeling it. 20 rounds and I was done. I’d also like to point out it’s winter and I had three layers on including a Carhartt. So I’m feeling a little emasculated. It wasn’t exactly pleasurable to shoot and 99% of my shooting will be from a bench. I was hoping it would be a good “all purpose” round because I’d like to pick up target shooting as a little side hobby (nothing too serious) or at least grow confidence in my ability to shoot.

I’m not exactly a small guy either 5’9” medium build. The ammunition itself was 150 gain and for some reason I just couldn’t get with it. To me it feels no different than a 30-06. The 22 was fine. Super light recoil could shoot it all day. My buddy was checking for form, everything was choked up nice and snug and was hitting plates at 300 yards. That rifle shouldn’t have been putting out more than 15lbs of recoil right?

My buddy tells me everyone reacts different and no one really likes felt recoil. That I shouldn’t feel bad. He basically suggested to go as light as I’m comfortable with and we’re playing with the idea of a 6.5 Creedmoor. 7mm-08 was on the list however the 6.5 ammo has flooded the shelves and the 7mm is hard to find.

Still set on the Howa 1500 platform. Should I give their .308 a shot? Step down to 6.5, or just settle with .243?

Anyways, sorry for the long post but thanks for reading.
Click to expand...

First of all, you're an honest man. There are a lot of folks here who aren't secure enough in their own skin to admit something like this.

Second, the weight of the rifle makes all the difference. A 7 lb. .308 kicks as much as a 9 lb. 7mm mag when it comes to felt recoil. So get a heavier rifle is one option.

I've not noticed a whole lot of difference between the felt recoil of the 6.5CM and the .308, personally. For that reason, if you want a gun that you will spend a lot of time at the range with, get the .243.
 
Stick with the .308, it's a great choice. For extended range time get a strap on PAST recoil pad. They are heavy felt and leather pads you strap to your shoulder. I shoot vintage military matches and everyone wears them. I only shot one season without. For extended practice a .22 goes a long way.
 
As mentioned above from many of the earlier posts rifle weight and design makes a difference. You may want to consider the Weatherby Vanguard. The action is built by Howa, but the stock is a Weatherby design. I believe that the Mossberg Patriot is fairly straight stock designed and light weight which will give you more felt recoil. The Weatherby stock design helps eat up recoil and a little more weight can be a good thing.
The 308 win is a great all around cartridge. If you are not going to include elk the 7mm-08, 260, & 6.5 cm are fine choices.
 
I have a Savage axis XP in 308 that I just got last year. I find it amazingly pleasant to shoot for being such a light rifle with composite stock. Again, recoil is subjective. I used to shoot hundreds of rounds through a Mosin Nagant, compared to that 308 is nothing. Unless the recoil is causing you to develop a flinch then I'd stick with the 308 if you like the round. Most you'll ever shoot it is for sighting in the scope. When hunting you should only be making one shot so it's a non issue. Plus once you get your game in your sights and fire you will notice zero recoil because you'll be reacting to the thrill of the hunt.
 
.243 would likely do just fine. That caliber is responsible for many whitetails in freezers where i live. If you can ask around to see if anyone has a .270, you might want to try that also. Just a suggestion, not a recommendation.
 
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KJamesJr said:
It wasn’t exactly pleasurable to shoot and 99% of my shooting will be from a bench.
Click to expand...

And hunting from a blind? If so, a target rifle will work just as well as a hunting rifle. The added weight will reduce recoil. That is the major factor in recoil reduction. Stocks do have some to do with it, a short or poorly fitting stock will compound a problem, but heavier rifle is the solution. Also worth mentioning is the improved “table manners” of the target rifle stock.
My target rifle weighs just under seventeen pounds. There is very little recoil...:D

If 99% of your shooting is done one way, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to buy a rifle styled for another.

Sporter rifles are designed for carrying. All day. Over there. Down this hill. Through this thicket. And then, take one shot.

If you like shooting and will be putting some rounds through it often, a .243Win or a 6.5 Creedmoor may be the ticket. With a definite tip of the hat to the 6.5 for deer. Inarguably, they will work on a deer and they have less recoil.


Just like,
adcoch1 said:
I shoot some pretty big boomers offhand, but I don't like 308 from the bench either...
Click to expand...
, one of the more memorable mistakes I’ve recently made was firing my AR, in 450Bushmaster, from the bench, in a small plastic rifle holder(I am loathe to call it a rest.).
The first shot was incredible!
Not to be one to know when enough, is enough, I finished the magazine. Which is what filled out the bruise so nicely, I assume...

Light rifle, heavy recoiling cartridge, bad form, nice wallop.
Standing is not so bad, but I had no idea my threshold was so low! My two Thirty Aught Sixes don’t beat me so horribly.:eek:
They also have a nice thick pad too. Not a hard plastic buttstock...;)

Clothing really doesn’t have a lot of shock absorption either. Soft rubber pads are where it’s at!
 
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I too suggest the T/C Compass in .243.
The .243 will have only slightly more recoil than the .22-250, but with 95-100gr bullets is regarded as a better deer rifle.
I “had” a T/C in 6.5Creedmoor. It just didn’t do anything for me. I gave it to a friend, who really likes it as he realized that he didn’t NEED to shoot 150lb whitetail deer with a .300WSM.
I have too many other hunting rifles competing for my attention. My preference other than the various.30cal is the .270. But, the.270’s recoil is little different than the .308.
 
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WisBorn said:
As mentioned above from many of the earlier posts rifle weight and design makes a difference. You may want to consider the Weatherby Vanguard. The action is built by Howa, but the stock is a Weatherby design. I believe that the Mossberg Patriot is fairly straight stock designed and light weight which will give you more felt recoil. The Weatherby stock design helps eat up recoil and a little more weight can be a good thing.
The 308 win is a great all around cartridge. If you are not going to include elk the 7mm-08, 260, & 6.5 cm are fine choices.
Click to expand...

I had a Remington 700 in .308, that 15 shots was a day. It would stack up the holes, but was quite punishing. Won a .300 WinMag (T/C bolt) in a raffle, and was a little concerned about shooting it, but it was a pussycat comparatively. I can shoot a Ruger Gunsite Scout in .308 all day long. Stock design makes a big difference to me.
 
Stock design has a big effect. I can shoot my friends wood stocked Ruger in 7mm mag all day, recoul is not bad. My Savage 110 with a wood stock kicks like a mule. The Savage has a drop at the butt end, where the Ruger is fairly straight. Makes all the difference for me.
 
A 7.5 lb rifle with scope will come out to 8.5 lbs. With a decent recoil pad it is easy on the body. That describes my Rem 700 LTR. Lighter guns recoil harder. It is physics. 308 is an excellent choice.
 
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My first centerfire rifle was a Savage Model 10 PC in .308 Win. Not knowing any better at the time, I took it to the range with a brand new box of 180 gr Remington Cor-Lokts and went through the whole box trying to sight it in. After about 10 rounds it was the flinch I had developed that kept me from getting it sighted.

I tried a few different types of factory ammo before I started reloading. I don’t remember any of those factory options kicking as hard as those 180 Cor-Lokts. Maybe a ammo change would help. The weight of the rifle, as said, would also make a big difference.

I think the .308 is a great choice for an all-around cartridge. I personally really like the Creedmoor as well, but I only have experience with it on paper. When I go to the deer woods in S GA, I don’t want anything besides my trusty Tikka T3 in .270.
 
What ranges will you be hunting? That may help you decide on a cartridge. You might be able to go to a lower power round. I have a Ruger Ranch in both 7.62x39 and 350 Legend. Either will take deer at shorter ranges.
 
I'm recoil sensitive, have been shooting. 270 for years, after 15 rounds of hand loads I start to develop a flinch, got a 6.5cm with a good muzzle break and can shoot tiny groups all day long with no problem, I highly recommend the 6.5 cm, where in the north east are you located? If your close I will let you give mine a try, welcome to THR
 
Given that you want to use it on whitetail, .308 is a good caliber but not the end all be all. 243 and 270 are very viable options and will have notably less recoil. The idea of getting a 308 but in a heavier platform and putting a better recoil pad on it (I like Limbsavers personally) is also worth considering. If you're only going to be hunting alone you could add a muzzle brake too, though if you might be hunting with someone I'd skip that as it might not be a pleasant experience for the person you're with. Chuckhawks has a nifty recoil table, with rifle weight included for comparison, that you can use to compare some of the calibers in terms of raw numbers.

https://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm
 
All around and flat shooting and long range is the 270 Win. Pretty much zero at 300 yards and take a point of aim shot.
 
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